10 Questions to Ask Before Selecting an MSN Program

Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you’re likely interested in pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Nurses are the lifeblood of our healthcare system, and the decision to further your education is a beneficial choice both for your career and your patients.

To help you narrow down the many MSN program options that are available, we’ve compiled a list of 10 questions to ask before selecting the one that’s right for you.

1. What programs and specializations are offered?

What’s motivating you to pursue your MSN? Nursing is a broad field with many specialties to choose from, so your first step should be selecting a focus. A few of the most popular MSN degree specialties include:

Note: The GRE is not required to apply to the University of Cincinnati’s online MSN program, which helps students save time and money.

And to graduate with your MSN degree, you’ll most likely need:

A certain number of completed credit hours, usually between 44 and 48

A certain number of clinical hours, which will depend on your specialty

A certain GPA (usually a 3.0)

An active and unrestricted current RN license

3. Are the nursing program and university accredited?

One of the most important things to check off your list as you’re vetting programs is accreditation.

Accreditation is a crucial step every program and university must complete in order to prove that it meets or exceeds a certain standard of quality. Attending an accredited program will make you eligible for financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education, while also ensuring that you’re receiving an education that is on the same level as other nursing programs.

To check on accreditation status, you can visit the websites above and search for programs.

4. How long will it take to complete the program?

Balancing a job, personal life and school work is a top concern in any type of higher education program. If you know you need to work or take care of family matters while going to school, make sure the program you select offers part-time options so you can continue your education while still maintaining your normal lifestyle.

Even if you are able to enter a program as a full-time student, a part-time program could still be appealing in the future. Depending on your course load, financial aid and lifestyle, you may want the option to switch to a part-time schedule down the line.

At the University of Cincinnati, each Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program can be done in as little as two years. There are additional options available for several programs that allow students to take these programs at a slower pace. Although these options extend the length of the selected program, they often make it a more feasible option for the student.

5. Is the program highly ranked?

Once you’ve found an accredited program, you can do some online investigating to get an idea of its reputation. A reliable source is U.S. News and World Report’s annual rankings of the best graduate schools and programs, broken down by specialty. U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of Cincinnati as the #10 Best Online Graduate Nursing Program #6 on the list of Best Online Programs for Veterans.

6. Are there financial aid or scholarship opportunities available?

The cost of higher education can deter many people from pursuing an advanced degree, but there are resources available to help offset high tuition costs.

First, check if the program you’re interested in has different tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students. If you’re applying to an online program, there will likely be one tuition rate regardless of where you live.

You can find information about aid packages through the following websites.

Nurse Journal also lists financial aid options for military members and veterans.

The program’s website should also list resources and information about scholarships, grants and financial aid options. You can also contact a financial aid advisor to learn about any options that may not be listed online.

7. What learning formats are offered?

Are you more comfortable taking notes in a face-to-face classroom or does the flexibility of online learning work better for your schedule? Your answer will help you narrow down your program options.

Make sure to verify the learning format for the entirety of your program. There may be on-site clinicals or other in-person learning requirements in order to graduate.

The University of Cincinnati’s MSN program requires two on-site clinical-skills intensives. These visits are generally viewed as opportunities for hands-on-practice, networking with other students and direct contact with the program director and other members of the faculty.

Some programs may have on-site clinical intensives that require a short, two-day visit to campus. During that time, students work with faculty and fellow cohort members to perform clinical style work. Students may also work with professional actors who are serving as sample patients, and may work in a state-of-the-art birthing simulation lab to rehearse birthing techniques.

8. How do graduates perform on national certification exams?

Passing rates for certification exams will tell you a lot about the quality of an MSN program, including how well the instructors are able to prepare their students for exams and working in the field.

Both the passing rates for first-time and repeat test takers should be prominently listed on an institution’s website, along with the national averages. If you’re not able to find this information, you can request it from the designated contact for the program.

9. What is the faculty’s experience?

Who will be teaching your courses and what are their credentials? The quality of your educational experience in an MSN program will heavily depend on the faculty.

Check that the instructors in your program have real-world experience that’s aligned with your chosen specialty. The program’s website should list all faculty members, as well as their education, certifications, publications, professional experience and other relevant credentials. A quick Google search of an instructor’s name will also give you insights from other sources.

If you’re selecting an online program, check to see how many years the instructors have been teaching online, as this learning format can differ from in-person instruction. You can also reach out to the program director or individual faculty members with any questions before you make your final program selection.

10. Does the university offer support services?

Support is a broad term that includes everything from advising and tutoring to mentoring and IT services. Graduate programs are demanding, and you’ll need a reliable support system in order to succeed.

The program’s faculty and other staff members are there for a reason: to help you succeed! You should be encouraged to reach out before, during and even after your time in the program. Supervised clinicals, one-on-one check ins with your advisor and career support services should be assumed and easily accessible.

If you’re in an online program, 24/7 technical support is an absolute must. Since you’ll be accessing course materials at times that are most convenient for you, having an IT expert on standby will provide much-needed peace of mind throughout your studies.

The University of Cincinnati offers Student Success Coordinators and Clinical Site Coordinators to help students succeed. All MSN students are also assigned their own faculty advisor.

Online MSN Degree Options

The University of Cincinnati Online offers a flexible, robust Master of Science in Nursing program with a wide selection of specialties. Ranked as the #10 Best Online Graduate Nursing Program byU.S. News and World Report, 100% of our faculty is certified in the APRN specialty that they teach.

You can see our online nursing program options here, or contact an enrollment advisor here to get started!

Need additional student resources?

Already an online student? UC Online has additional tips and tricks to ensure you are on the path to success. Check out our Student Resources section for what you need to maximize your learning.